Montreal needs to be on your honeymoon wish list. Photo by Scott Webb
Picturesque, easy to navigate, safe, and full of history and culture. Montreal, Canada is a perfect destination to add to your wish list. The food is next level delicious and most of the city speaks French (as well as English) which is pretty darn romantic if you ask me.
There are certain aspects of the magnificent city on the St Lawrence River, which were reminiscent of Aussie cities like Melbourne or Sydney, including the fact that it didn’t matter what day of the week it was, Montreal was pumping with things to do – bars, events, shopping boutiques, culinary delights and exhibitions – perfect for your honeymoon activities list.
Where to stay
Montreal is a very old city but it’s also filled with modern luxuries. If you’re into architecture, the buildings both old and new are truly beautiful. I recommend checking out Old Montreal. It’s got stunning structures, cobblestone roads, café culture and an eclectic collection of galleries, boutique shops and places to eat. It’s not far from other parts of Montreal, but it’s a pretty worthy place to base yourself for your entire trip. There is an array of amazing hotels in Old Montreal but it’s hard to look past Hotel William Gray. It’s a little on the expensive side but it’s your honeymoon and trust me, this one is worth splashing out for.
The hotel is located in Old Montreal and is surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants. It’s somehow found the perfect balance between modern design and historic architecture – full of light, artwork and carefully curated furnishings. The rooms are so comfortable – it feels like they’ve literally thought of everything you could possibly want or need. There are beautiful views of the city from the top deck and a common area with a library, full bar, pool table and vinyl collection. This place is down to earth luxury in a cracking location.
What to do
Montreal is brimming with culture and laden with galleries. You can pretty much stroll around any neighbourhood and stumble on a gallery or a museum. If you’re not feeling super whimsical and just want to tick off the big ones, it’s hard to look past the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. It’s got an array of permanent and touring exhibitions and is always worth it to drop in.
When Mrs Houndstooth and I visited two years ago we were lucky enough to see Jean Paul Gaultier’s Love Is Love exhibit. It’s also worth checking out the Notre-Dame Basilica. It’s one of Montreal’s flagship tourist attractions and even if you’re not particularly religious, this church really is a sight to behold.
Photo by Maurice Nantel
What to eat
Well, if you’re in Montreal you’re going to be eating poutine, obviously!! Those chips, cheese curds and gravy are on almost every single menu in Montreal. However, if you’re really looking to try good poutine then where else to go but Poutineville. At Poutineville, you can create your own Poutine, choosing from a list of more than 40 ingredients including multiple varieties of potato and cheese, so you can get your poutine just how your tastebuds like it. All the products are locally sourced, farm fresh goods so you know your poutine will be served as fresh as it gets.
Just for fun
You can’t go to Canada without getting your hooks into maple syrup and there’s no better place than Délices Érable et Cie. It’s an entire store dedicated to Canada’s liquid gold. There are multiple varieties of maple syrup on offer and multiple products too, including ice cream. All you really need to know is that they don’t ship their products to Australia, so you need to cram as much of the good stuff in your suitcase as you possibly can!
Oh, and by the way, once you’re done with Montreal, I can highly recommend heading off to Lake Louise.
Ms Zebra Says: Canada is such a fantastic country. A must for everyone! I’ve never been to Montreal, but I think I’ll put it next on the list after Mr Houndstooth’s ravings! I love the sound of the architecture, art and culinary delights – thank you for an insightful look into Montreal.
About Mr Houndstooth: I am a happily married man. I enjoy a fine whisky, a new suit and swashbuckling around town with my beautiful bride. Looking back on my wedding day always makes me smile, even though it began to rain just as I said ‘I do’.
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